MANILA, Philippines?David Cook, ?American Idol? Season 7 champion, didn?t realize how much Filipinos love him until he walked over to the mall across the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City where he was billeted.

Recognizing the rocker who had gotten more than 90 million text votes in last season?s ?Idol? and who already sold a million records, Pinoys started following Cook inside Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

The 26-year-old native of Houston, Texas, who?s performing in a back-to-back concert with ?Idol? runner-up David Archuleta Saturday night at the Mall of Asia open-air grounds in Pasay City, expressed mild shock.

?That doesn?t happen at home at all. It?s very unnerving and also humbling,? he said.

Tickets with seats?especially the front rows priced as high as P12,000?were reportedly all sold out. The venue has a capacity of more than 50,000.

A press conference held Thursday night at the Edsa Shangri-La?s Isla Ballroom attracted an unusually large crowd. The strictly by-invitation affair turned into an open house as children of journalists and others lucky enough to be there slipped past security with glee.

A sumptuous dinner was served.

It seemed like an eternity before the program started, as dozens of photographers clicked away nonstop, with Cook and Archuleta flashing disarming smiles with nary a complaint.

Radio DJ Mo Twister, acting as presscon moderator, stressed that the concert was not part of a tour, and was actually a special full-length performance featuring two different artists.

Archuleta turns 18

Asked what made them agree to come to Manila as a team despite being busy with their own respective solo shows, the two Davids replied with enthusiasm.

?I just want to play anywhere and everywhere people want us to,? Cook said. ?So when they asked us, it was an easy yes. To travel halfway around the world and share the stage with a friend of mine, that?s awesome.?

Archuleta noted that ?Filipinos are very supportive of ?American Idol? and it sure feels great to come here and do a show.?

Asked if there was anything special about turning 18, which he did recently, Archuleta deadpanned: ?You can go to jail for a lot more things now.?

Upon hearing the remark, Cook laughed out loud.

Death in the family

Only a week ago, Cook was grieving the loss of his elder brother Adam, who died after years of suffering from brain cancer. It forced Cook to cancel some dates in his tour?fueling speculations that his Manila gig with Archuleta would be called off.

?I?m very close to my family,? Cook said, citing filial bond as one of the things that suffered with his newfound fame.

Archuleta, born in Miami, Florida, said he felt the same way, adding: ?Travel is a lot of fun, but I miss hanging out with my brothers and sisters.?

Who will win ?Idol? 8?

The hectic schedule of performing separately has prevented Cook and Archuleta from watching this year?s ?Idol? eliminations.

While they?re not particularly rooting for anyone, Cook said: ?It?s still anybody?s game.?

Likewise, Archuleta was non-partisan. ?Both are great, they have different skills,? he said, referring to Season 8 final contenders Adam Lambert and Kris Allen.

A question from the Philippine Daily Inquirer had Cook and David fumbling for an answer: If they were given a chance to write a song that could inspire people to change for the better, what kind of song would that be and why?

Cook stammered and couldn?t give a definite reply. After a few moments, he said that a number of shows he did for the US military was ?inspiring enough.?

Archuleta, on the other hand, said that all songs have their own way of inspiring people.

?Life in the fast lane?

It also took a while before Cook could answer what song best describes him at the moment. But he seemed very sure when he blurted: ?Life in the Fast Lane? by the Eagles.

For his part, Archuleta?fondly called Archie by fans?was at a loss for words. He was really a kid who could not hide the overwhelming emotions brought by fame at a young age.

And while Cook said he hoped all the attention would last forever, he believes this is just a phase and that he?s fortunate to have a family by his side.